HAWKE'S BAY METROPOLITAN SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 3006, 25 October 1911, Page 20

HAWKE'S BAY METROPOLITAN SHOW.

By Agbigola.

That the Hawke's Bay Show is not suffering from a waning popularity was abundantly evident on Wednesday, the 18th inst., on which day most of the judging was dono.' Hastings "en fete" is a sight no doubt familiar enough to the North Island resident, but presents many objects of interest to anyone unfamiliar with the natives of New Zealand, in all their varying phases of character. The number of Maoris which thronged the streets and were interested'spectators on the ringside, gave the town and the racecourse, where the show was held, a most picturesque appearance. The infinite variety of the dresses, from the primitive blanket to the smart tailor-made costume, the enormous hats, the -gorgeous hues observable as they came gliding in on private motor cars, the get-up of the young bloods, with their tan shoes, creased trousers, canes, and brilliant ties, all mixed up with the sordidness and repulsiveness of their financially less fortunate sisters and brothers, provided a spectacle unequalled for variety and interest to any stranger. The superiority of the moneyed Maori is manifested in his noble bearing. As he goes along with head erect and «hest expanded, he proclaims himself of an unoonquered race, and the condescension with which he buys his show catalogue, disdaining change, could not fail to attract pointed attention. The Native going to the show is out for a good time, and plainly exhibits an evident determination to enjoy every minute of it. Long-lost brothers and sisters are encountered, and hearty greetings exchanged, and the usual salutation is worth travelling a~lone way to see. Their noses are, as a rule, built for the purpose, and after applying them carefully and deliberately to each other in great solemnity, as often as not they immediately turn their backs on each other with absolute indifference to all sublimary matters written clearly on their faces. But there is something decidedly incongruoiu when pristine Nature asserts-itself and the fashionable lady in her finery sits down in the gutter with the beggar in her blanket, and in happy enjoyment discusses ancient history to her heart's content. Crowded thoroughfares were everywhere in evidence, and the hotels had to turn away many visitors to seek refuge in Napier. Every available room in each hotel was filled with stretchers, and their number was multiplied to such an extent that the individual latterly who secured a single . blanket considered himself lucky. How show attendance would fare if prohibition was carried is a question that need not be considered. Where all the well-dressed Natives ?ot to at night was a perfect mystery. They manifested,- however, a keen interest in all the proceedings at the show, and proved their capability in the shearing and riding events. The first day opened with a fine morning, the rain of the previous night being hardly sufficient to allay the sand, which drifted with some unpleasantness over the showground a© the day orogressed. Judging day was got through conveniently as the rain eloudis were dissipated, and an occasional film of fleecy- vapour served to temper the heat of the sun. Under these circumstances the ladies were quite justified i.i donning their "creations," many of them being veritable flower gardens blaziner with colour. A shower or two and a cold snap during the second day onlv served 1 to drive the visitors into" the grand stands, produce sheds, and tradesmen's tents, but had little effect on the attendance, which was expected to reach last year's record. The Hawke's Bay Society is one of the oldest in New Zealand, and in two years will be celebrating its iubilee. In addition to the spring show, the society runs an autumn show, which is held in the beginning of March, and although entries ara then received for a home industry section — butter, cheese, etc.,—it is really chiefly confined to fruit of all kinds, vegetables : n great quantity, and roots. The average financial result' from the soring stock show is about £IOO to credit without reckoning membership. The autumn show barelv pays exnenses, but the membershio of the eocietv is unusually large, and £1134 was received from this source last year. The entry of stock this year was larger than •usual, oarticularly in horses, which numbered 590, and in cattle. 202 entries. The total entrv of all classes was 2114, as compared with close on 2000 last year. These numbers include a doe; show and poultry show. The beef breeds of cattle and Romney* Marsh sheep are stronger than usual, there being as many as 30 ram hog-gets in one cla*s and 20 Dens of five rams each in another. The latter gave the judge a lot o ftroublc. The society at rvosent has> a long lease from the Jockey Club of the racecourse, and bv its conditions no buildings can- he erected inside of the racimr track which would obstruct the view., and altbouah large buildings are erected and available outside the actual course, there is not sufficient room there fov development and! permanent stock, sheds cannot be erected. A committee of the society has therefore recommended the purchase of a property at Tomoana (under one mile and a"-half from Hastings) of 52 acres, averaging just over £IOO per acre. One of the mem-

bera (Mr Coleman) has offered £IOOO if the remainder of the purchase money is subscribed within 12 months, and the committee is now endeavouring to raise that amount. The temporary stock sheds will therefore be replaced by substantial buildings in the near future. The property proposed to be acquired is beautifully sheltered, fairly level, and well watered, and will in time make a lovely showground. It seems to be about universally considered that the stock show this year has been the strongest in the history of the society. A feature of the present ground is the members' enclosure, which is detached from the crowd and 1 contains two to three acres of lawn studded with dumps of trees. This corner forms an unrivalled picnicking ground, where the members entertain their friends. Arrangements are made there to supply indefinite quantities of boiling water, and 1 thousands of teapots are thus supplied for visitors to the show. In spite of his manifold and arduous duties, the energetic secretary, Mr Douglass, had 1 organised the arrangements throughout the show so perfectly that there was no delay in getting every class' well up to time when it was wanted. In the case of the light horses, for instance, this is an exceedingly difficult thing to do when the exhibits are careering all over the ground, but much simplified when each light horse has a hurdle enclosure, which he. is expected to occupy till required for his class.

A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF SOME OF THE BREEDING CLASSES. —The Clydesdale Horses. —

The show of Clydesdales was a very good one, some of the classes being well filled, while in others there was plenty of room for improvement in point of numbers. Many of the exhibits gave evidence of careful breeding, and showed that the various imported stallions have left their mark on the Clydesdale horse of Hawke's Bay. When, in addition to these, the Hawke's Bay breeders have also spared no expense and given large sums for some of the best mare© and stallions bred in the south, it was naturally expected that the turn-out would be a good one; and this proved to be the case. Mr Short was the most sucoessf al exhibitor, but he had some persistent opponents in Mrs J. D Ormond, Messrs J. W. Harding, and Mr Douglas M'Lean. The descendants of Baron Graceful were much in evidence, and proved the value of that horse for stud purposes. The new buyers have evidently secured a valuable breeding horse. On looking round the young stock it was pleasing to note that substance had not' been sacrificed in any way. Evidence of plenty of weight as well as quality was observable in the younger horses, which were. well-grown _ and possessed ample bone and hair to maintain the type satisfactorily. The aged draught stallions were conspicuous by their absence, and the same applies. to the three-year-old horses. There were two entries in the former, and only one in the latter class. However good these may be, publio interest is lost without competition. In the two-year-old class Mir J. W. Harding's Baron Daimler was one that might compete successfully anywhere, being quality all over and excelling the other entries in that re-, spect. Mr Douglas M'Lean's Laird of Ardincaple was. not. very far behind him, while the third prize horse was a descendant of Baron Everest, and gave every indication of filling up to a good cart horse. In the yearling class there were nine entries, several-of which failed to put in an appearance, and there was nothing special about this class. The championship was allotted to Mr Curtin's Taieri Prince, by R. Gawn's Prince Alexander. The first' prize two-year-old was not allowed to conipeto, and. had he done so would probably have secured the purple ticket. The championfor mares was secured by one of Mr Short's- excellent team, named Hanniston Belle, by Dunmore Baron, a fine, large, roomy mare in good breeding condition; and it would be interesting to see a meeting between her and Mr Jas. Patrick's mare of the same age, colour, and type. They would make an invincible pair. The prizewinner in the four-year-old class was an Agitator mare which showed typical Agitator quality and thickness of body, but. was on the small side. The second was_ an imported mare that will thicken out with age. The. three-year-old class provided three strong heaVily-leggcd fillies, but, like most of the class, they are difficult to get ccuiSe free from some unequality about the legs, and these were no exception. The two-year-old fillies were a particuarly good class, the first and second prize-winners being exceptionally good both in conformation and type; the third prize filly of this age was o« tb° light side. The yearlings as exhibited were of such great variety in type that they might have represented 1 different broods. The teams of fou- horses were got utj in splendid form, plough harnessed, and they were such a magnificent lot that there wp.cj ijreab difficultv in separating them. The prizes in this class very properly went to trio drivers, who turned them out in form.

Several classes were set apart for farmers possessing not more than 500 acres, and those were fairlv patronised, but should be done away with. It is a libel that any farmer cannot afford to use the very best stallion in the land, and 1 the size of his farm has little to do with the quality of his breeding: stud. —Light Horses. —

The light horse section proved a very attractive feature of the show. _ It was numerically strong, and it was satisfactory to note that in spite of the attractions of

motoring and aviation, the numbers have not declined, and it was exceedingly satisfactory to see that the quality was so high. As already remarked, the organisation of the stewards and secretary was perfect, and although the classes were enormous, there was no loss of time between them. The list hacks class was only a mediocre one, and nothing approaching the heavier weight-carriers either for quality or merit. The first prize hack, however, in this class was one of the best hacks ever exhibited. The 13st hack class provided as fine a collection of well-bred horses as one could wish to meet, and they were so exceptionally even in quality that they might have been placed in several ways by different judges without being far out. The 15st hacks were an ordinary lot. The troop horses for mounted infantry were an extra good class. of most useful weight-carrying horses. The ladies' hacks formed a very fine class indeed, and the first-prize horse in this section provided the champion hack of the ground. The riding of some of the ladies, particularly over the.hurdles, was much admired. Several of them rode "with great confidence and evident enjoyment, and helped to provide such jumping events as have not been excelled in Hawke's Bay previously. Several circuits were often necessary to place the prize-winners.

—The Shorthorn Cattle.—

The exhibit as a whole was and will hardly be equalled in the North Island, or even in the whole Australasian colonies. More high-class cattle were exhibited'""af Hastings than at the Royal Show at Sydney, and, generally speaking, they were exhibited in first-class order, and with few exceptions were highly creditable to their exhibitors. Breeders of shorthorns are less bound by restrictions as to colour than the breeders of other classes of cattle, and yet the colour is a most important breed characteristic, and has a range plainly indicated by the popular description of red, white, and roan. Either alone or blended these col-^

ours are thoroughly typical and distinctly, characteristic of the purebred shorthorn. Such a great' variety in the shows of the roans is not mot with in any other breed of cattle. Handling also, -or the furry, mossy feel of the flesh in the hand, and propensity to fatten- early and produce large supplies of. meat and milk are more important characteristics than colouring even. In ho instance does the value of the breed exhibit itself so much as in the early maturity of the crossbreds produced from it. These, especially from cows of the larger varieties of polled Angus, have a greater weight recorded than even purebreds: A refreshing characteristic of the exhibit was the fact that nearly all the cows were either carrying calves or had a calf at foot. In the aged bull class an Australianbred roan, which also secured the championship, carried off the first prize. Mr Arch. M 'Lean's animal was a very superior one in any way one likes to take him. He was first at the Sydney Royal Show last year, and not eligible for the championship on account of. his age, which at that time was two years old, but he would have secured the championship there also had he been allowed to compete. Mr Douglas M'Lean's Copper King was allotted second place. He had formerly been a worthy champion at Hastings Show, has great substance, and is of massive proportions, particularly in those parts where the meat is most valuable. The third prize bull, Te Aute Knight, was hardly in show condition. There was no entry in the three-year-old class. Iwo-vear-old and yearling bulls were a useful lot but with nothing really outstanding among them. Every one of the female classes, and also the groups, were most interesting classes of high-class animals. Perhaps the cow class and two-year-old heifers excelled the others, and gave the judge considerable trouble to place them, but the whole lot were typical shorthorn cattle of which any breeder might be proud The .championship and r.n. tickets Were both secured in the cow class. In this case also the two-year-old was not elgible for championship hontfurs, and particularly in cattle this is unfortunate, because, if not good enough at two years old the chances for. her future are very small. It would not do any harm to let her in; if not sufficiently furnished she would not secure theposition. In this case, had she competed, she would probably have secured the r.n. ticket, and given the champion a fright. —The Hereford Cattle.—

The exhibit as a whole was a very highclass one, and competition was keen in this section. The various exhibits were truly typical of the breed, well brought out, and showed plenty of quality The writer has never seen, animals of this breed to equal them. The championship was trained by Mr Short's imported bull Eaton Chancellor, which was a bull of great size and substance, and would turn the scale at 25cwt. Many breeders thought the owner was jeopardising his breeding powers by piling on so much condition. The second prize animal, Mr Chambers s Crown Piece 11, was a good even bull shown in first-class working order. In the two-year-old class Mr Short was again successful with Monkton Gamble (imp.), a nice even bull which handled well, and was quality all over. The second prize

animal, Mr G. F. Moore's Elector, was a much weightier one, of a rich colour and Ereat length, and some judges would not ave been disappointed if he had secured Sride of place. In the yearling class Mr loore's Critic 4th was placed first. He was a rich-coloured, thick-set bull of good quality and great constitution. The second prize, animal in this class was Mr C. A. J. Lovett's Ratanui. Coronation, a nice quality bull, but very much smaller than the first. In the cow class Mr Ernest Short's exhibits were unopposed. Lady Lottie 2nd secured! first in her class, but lost the championship to an imported two-year-old heifer, Happy Rosa. Lady Lottie was a cow of great substance, size, and good quality. Te Hiwi Amethyst, Wie second priize cow, was a thick-set, short-legged animal in great condition. In the two-year-old heifer class Happy Rosa (imp.), a heifer of great size and splendid quality and a. fine handler, secured hot class prize. The second prize heifer had the advantage of two months in age. The yearling heifers were both very promising females of rich colour and good size and substance. —The Polled Angus Cattle, j-

A creditable section of polled Angus representatives appeared at the show, the best of which originated at Gladbrook, and some of them came directly from that herd. Although naturally not up to best Gladbrook form, being lighter and less substantial, they are said to be improving rapidly in Hawke's Bay, and with the infusion of a little more high-class blood they' will rapidly become specimens of the breed, able to hold their own anywhere, The only class that gave the judge much trouble was that of aged bulls. The imported bull (eight' years old), the property of Mr F. Armstrong, is almost past showing, and should be withdrawn before he gets beaten. When his size and quality are considered he either had to be placed first or put out altogether. The second prize bull was as good quality as the first, but suffered on account of his size, arid should have had much more substance at five years old. Tho third prize bull was plainer and well topped, but lacked condition. Both of these belonged to Messrs W. J. Birch and Son. The prize animal in the two-year-old class, which also belonged to Mr Armstrong, secured the championship, and could lay claim to as good a top generally as could be found anywhere. He has; a lovely touch and good lines above and below, and was shown in excellent condition. He was a comparatively recent importation from Gladbrook. The first prize yearling, owned by Mr A. S. G. Carlyon, was also good in top and bottom lines, but a little hard in the hair. The second was not well rubbed up, and there was no comparison between the two. In the cow class the first prize fell to. Mr J. A. M'Farlane, with Flora, a well-known prizewinner, which has been champion for years, but is beginning to lose the bloom necessary for showing, and was not quite up to show condition. The second prize cow, belonging to the same owner, was badly outclassed. The threejyear-old class provided the championship heifer, and she excelled all others in balance, being evenly proportioned in her quarters, comely, and of excellent quality. The pick of the two-year-old class was an outstanding heifer of good, weight and quality, and the best female behind the shoulder on the ground'. The second prize heifer was a different type altogether, with much less substance. The first prize yearling heifer was only eight months old, as against competitors which were 13 months old. In spite of this handicap, her quality could not bo overlooked. The second prize exhibit was a big one, with plenty of substance, but nothing like tho quality of the first prize animal. Ayrshire and Jersey Cattle. — Tho classes under these headings were not well filled up by any means. There were excellent animals among them, but all over they wars not a superior lot. The Jersey breed is coming into evidence gradually in Hawke's Bay, and as time goes on we will probably see a better lot sent to the show. Judging from the inquiries of dairymen for cattle of this breed, the Jersey is likely to become more popular in the north. All the bush land to within 40 miles of Hastings is excellent dairying country, which will all be occupied in this way before many years pass; but the country is wholly occupied by sheep from the edge of the bush land onwards. The inevitable onrush of dairying idoes not appear to have affected very rrouc-h vet that oortion of Hawke's Bay through whiah the line passes; but all those lovely valleys that stretch away on either side from tho line will form ideal dairy farms, and that magnificent limestomc country which covers about 2500 square miles is rapidly becoming too dear for profitable occupation by sheep. The Ayrshire cattle made a very poor show in point of numbers; but they ■were of the right sort. Border Leicester Sheep.—

An entry in the various breeds of sheep of 387 .represented this most important section of the show, and made a bold show of sheep, which, generally speaking, were of even type, quality, and merit. The number of Border Leicesifcers exhibited was not by anv means proportionate to their value as producers, of the very finest mutton possible. The first cross from the merino cannot be excelled, and the second cross on the half-

bred Romnev ewe is a most excellent sheep in all respects. The exhibits a* the show ware.excellent in quality, and typical of the present-day Border Leicester, both rams and ewes being good enough to meet any company. The principal exhibitors were Messrs Dowthwaite, from Wanganui, and Mr s Ormond, from Hawke's Bay. Their exhibits were creditable to their owners and to the men .attending to them, Mrs Ormond showed a recently-imported ram which was highly commended, and will probably give a different report of himself next year. The championship ram was bred by the exhibitor, Mr. Dowthwaite, and was highly praised by the judge, who considered him a very exceptional animal. He was clad with a heavy even fleece, had a well-sprung rib, and a good length of frame, and last year registered four championship tickets to his credit. Mrs Ormond's ewe was also an excellent sample of ithe breed. If only. Mr Dowthwaite could get the judges young enough he would probably have received more prizes; but, as it transthey were just about equally distributed. '/'

- - Lincoln Sheep.—

The aged class in Lincoln rams contained 11 entries of high-class and well-brought-out sheep, and the selected ram in this class secured the championship. Mr Perry's sheep had all the good points of a purebred Linooln —great constitution, magnificent fleece, wide and deep, with massive character and good flesh; and sufficient timber under him to carry his weight. His carriage when walking out was stately, and his general conformation very pleasing. Tho Masterton breeder also secured second prize with a tiptop exhibit, but carrying a somewhat thinner fleece. For the rams over 18 months and under 30 Mrs Ormond took first and second prizes with two nice even, symmetrical sheep, full of quality. For the ram hoggets Mr Perry again secured first and third places with two rams, which were good all-round sheep, and likely to develop into capital stud rams. Mr Douglas M'Lean took second honours with an admirable exhibit, which, however, might have shown a tetter ' gloss on the wool. ; A more favourable year will probably make all the. difference to him. In the class for pairs, of rams, 18 months and'upwards, Mrs Ormond secured first prize and Mr Perry second. Individually Mr Perry's sheep may have been better, but they were badly matched. The ewe classes were well supported, and provided a large entry of splendid sheep. Many of them were worthy of a prize, and had to be passed over by the judge, who had considerable difficulty in selecting the winners. The champion ewe, the' property of Mr J. D. Ormond, requires singling out for special mention. She was well sprung in_ the ribs, and quality from the tip of her nose to her tail, her width of shoulder and depth of chest indicating great constitution. The Romney Marsh Sheep.— The Romney Marsh breed took pride of place in regard to the number of exhibits, and as a whole were a nice line of sheep. A number of the classes were particularly well filled with sheep of a masculine type, which were well brought out and well covered. The ewes were unusually fine all through, and presented a good indication of the progress which has been made in developing Romneys during the last five years in Hawke's Bay. The first prize exhibits in all the classes were very superior sheep, and the pens of five took a lot of judging.. The champion ewe was a remarkably fine sheep—the pick of a large class, — and carries her wool well for her age. The change in fashion 'from the popularity of the Lincoln 15 to 20 years ago, and the present support accorded to Romneys throughout the whole of the North Island, is a marked feature of North Island sheep farming, induced largely by the superior hardiness and sound constitution of the Romney. Owing to intense competition of the present day there ■is a danger which should be carefully avoided of breeding too fine. By pampering and selecting sh&ep solely with a view to the greater production and higher quality of wool, there is a danger of sacrificing constitution and other ■valuable qualities. The wool that strips off the arm and belly and has a tendency to get weak on the back is not worth having, and may be seen in quantity on the bracken, particularly in bush country. A well-clad sheep with wool on it that will stick and a constitution that will withstand disabilities, is essential, and tho fleck must be tho first consideration.

The English Leicester. —

The English Leicester classes provided a walk-over for Mr Douglas M'Lean, who secured all the first prizes, Nelson Bros, being the only other exhibitors. They were a very good lot quite up to other years, and the hoggets wera as well grown as formerly. The exhibits were few in number, but were typical of the breed, and able to hold their own with southern sheep. Merino and Down Sheep.—

In merino sheep Mr Douglas M'Lean was the only exhibitor, and swept the board. In the. Down classes Nelson Bros, excelled;, and secured nearly all the prizes. As a lot they were very good indeed, true to type, good colours, and fit to compete in any show yam in the world. Some of the classes were exhibited shorn, to show off the perfection of form and symmetry of the breed; but the idea cannot be commended. Typical form can D 8 .ascertain better with the wool on than off, and no one would ever think of buying a stud sheep or even flock sheep

without' having 1 first examined it in the wool. —lf .t Sheep and Lambs.—■ The entry of fat sheep was a particularly laTgo one, and composed of a number of pens of well-finished sheep and lambs. The competition was very keen in a number of cases, and it was with difficulty that the positions were assigned by vhe judge. The quality of the Down sheep was as good as anything seen in Canterbury or Otago. and. reflected credit on tiw breeder and feeder of the exhibits. A iew of the sheep were exhibited in wool, where the consideration of th© skin, as well as the mutton, came under review. In the class for unshorn sheep over two-tooth one pen of them were exceptionally well-woolled halfbreds, with a much more valuable skin than the crossfcreds competing against them, but had to give way to the' latter on aooount of their defective condition. The condition of the lambs and, in fact, of the whole of the sheep exhibited considering' the dry autumn and the shortness of feed throughout th© winter was highly creditable to th© breeders of the district. Th© judge was pleased to see that such a large number of the entries were Down and Romney cross sheep, wliich are most suitable for export purposes, and they presented a pleasing contrast to the exhibits which at one time were most prominent in Hawke's Bay Show. —The Dairy Cows. —

Th© competition in ■ dairy cows was particularly good. The several classes filled up well, and. they were all round an extra good lot. The butter-fat competition brought forward a fine lot of oows, as the following interesting results will sbo\w. The conditions were that the oows be milked on the ground at 5.15 p.m. the first day to thr> satisfaction of the judge, and again at 7.30 a.m. the following day. The second milking only to be weighed on the ground, and the sample tested for fat at the factory ; the greatest amount of butter-fat to win.

There were 15 entries, and the first half dozen registered' the following score: •■ —

The lowest return given was .7591 b of fat for the milking. ' If this butter-fat is worked out, allowing for 15 hours between the milkings, the first-prize oow will be ascertained to have given from 151 b to 161 b of butter per week. It is fatal to draw conclusions from want of condition in dairy cows. The results prove that the leading cows were of great commercial value, and the very class dairymen are so anxious to procure. ... —Pigs.— In point of numbers the exhibit of pilgs was a wretched one, and there we.ro many available pens unfilled. Those present left much to be desired both in quantity and quality. With the exception of the firstprize sow and two or three nice young Berkshires there was nothing of outstanding merit on the ground, and room for plenty of improvement. —Produce Shed, Ladies' Needle . ; -.•-; Work, Etc.—

A very pleasing feature and worthy of close inspection was the exhibit of needlework. Every kind of work, from the plain darning of old socks and the plain knitting by children to the most artistically shaded creations in silk embroidery, including beautiful table centres, tray-cloths, and cushions, were staged for inspection. Some of these were so exquisitely coloured and shaded as to give one the impression that real flowers and luscious fruit were in evidence before them. The eyelet embroidery, point lace, drawn thread, and Mount Mellick work deserve special mention, as also do some very fin© examples of the art of smocking. There was also some beautiful old-fashioned knitted work almost like lace. A lovely quilt knitted with fine cotton' was also a conspicuous piece of work of great merit, and the exhibit as a whole was an exceedingly interesting and most attractive one for the lady visitors. The winning exhibits met with great commendation from Mrs Hammerton, of Wellington, who judged them. Under the same roof a miscellaneous assortment of Native industry was exhibited in the shape of Maori carving and carving implements, decorations for table and wall, Maori garments of various kinds, floor mats, kits, etc., in endless variety, which formed one of the attractions of this section of the show. The "guid-wife" section is also in evidence with bread, butter, and honey, and the exhibits of grain and seeds are ranged along the walls. In addition, the produce shed, which was one of considerable dimensions, contained an excellent display of work done by the pupils of the Napier Technical- College, which attracted more than ordinary interest, and deserved the favourable comments freely passed upon it, and also a number of trade exhibits and others of a more fragile nature which usually make their appearance at our Winter Show. CHAMPIONS. Draught: Entire, J. Curtin's Taieri Prince; mare, E. Short's Hanniston s Belle. Shorthorn: Bull, Arch M'Lean's Duke of York 10th, with Douglas M'Lean's Copper King reserve chaimpion; cow, Arch M'Lean's Duchess of Beaufort 14-th, with W. T. Williams's Buttercup sth reserve champion. Hereford: Bull, E. Short's Eaton Chanoellor, with C. A. J. Levett's Imperial reserve champion; cow, E. Short's Happy Rosa. Polled Angus: Bull, F. Armstrongs Mason: cow, A. S. G. Carlyow's Clyde. Ayrshire: Bull, Slaok Bros.' Young Boron; cow, Slack Bros. Holstoin-Fresian: Bull, W. I. Lovelock's Cliffside Laddie; cow, W. I. Lovelock's Lady Melba. Alderney and Jersey: Bull, C. H. Thompson's Happy Lad; cow, C. H. Thompson's Wild Rose" IH. Lincoln: Ram, W. Perry; ewe, Mrs J. D. Ormdnd.

Border Leicester: Ram, J. Dowthwaite; ewe, Mrs J. D. Ormond. Romney: Ram, W. Perry; ewe, G. K Allen.

English Leicester: Ram, Douglas M'Lean, ewe, Douglas M'Lean. Merino: Ram, Douglas M'Lean; ewe, Douglas M'Lean,

Southdown: Bam', Nelson Bros.; ewe, Nelson Bros. Black Devon Boar, Paterson, Mossman, and Co. POINTS PRIZES. Cattle (other than dairy).—VV. T. Williams, 74. Cattle, purebred dairy.—Slack Bros., 52. Lincoln Sheep.—W. Perry, 55. Romney Sheep.—J. E. Hewitt and A. V. Collins, equal, 19 each Romney Sheep, Hawke's Bay Provincial District.—A. V. Collins, 19. Southdown Sheep.—Nelson Bros., 84. Fat Sheep.—D. Fernie, 24. • '.. Sheep and Lambs, Farmers' Classes.— W. Bridgman 1, 47; J.' W. Bridgman 2, 24. ■-■ • Pigs.—Paterson, and Co. and Ambrose Wellwood, equal, 24 each. ■ Native Exhibits.—Taranaki K. Te Ua, 108. Children's Needlework. Mka M. Q Leary, 14. ~..,.

Cow No. Si i 3.6 Description. 1st pi-izc-2nd „ ■ -1 -2 8 4 5 6 1-254 1-239 1-197 1-16 1-1044 1-008 594 Red; four j ears 596 Brindle ; five years 598 Wild Rose SnT, lemon fawn 600 Brindle ; five years 599 Brindle; cr> ssbrid 588 Red; eight years.